Mike Lowell reunion with Florida Marlins? Don’t get too excited

The Marlins are indeed checking out Boston’s Mike Lowell, as reported by the Miami Herald and confirmed here.

A Marlins scout was in Fort Myers on Monday for Lowell’s debut at first base, but the Marlins need to see much more of him this month before determining whether to make a serious run.
The Marlins have not contacted his representatives, and they might not ever. He is due $12 million this year, and Boston would have to pay a big chunk of that for the Marlins to consider a deal.

The Marlins are looking at Jorge Cantu at third base and prospects Gaby Sanchez or Logan Morrison at first. If one of the prospects doesn’t pan out, Cantu could move to first and Jorge Jimenez (Rule 5 pick) could start at third.

Could Lowell start at first instead? The answer to that is whether the Marlins front office thinks he’d be more valuable at first than their other options.

Lowell helped the Marlins win the 2003 World Series. the Miami native was very popular in South Florida. In terms of clubhouse chemistry, Lowell’s impact would be huge — like Albert Pujols-on-the-field huge.

But “Mikey” — as he was known around the clubhouse in his Marlins days — is coming off thumb surgery over the winter. Plus, he would want everyday playing time, something the Marlins might not want to give to a guy who’s 36.

Night game Thursday
The Marlins play their only night game of the spring Thursday in Jupiter against the Mets. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. The Marlins haven’t announced a starter yet, but Oliver Perez will go for the Mets.

Thursday will be a busy day at Roger Dean Stadium, which will host the Cardinals-Braves at 1:05 p.m.

Marlins on TV Friday
The Marlins-Cardinals game will be televised on Fox Sports Florida at 1:05 p.m. Friday. The network will premiere its “2010 Florida Marlins Season Preview” that day at 12:30 p.m.

Bended like Beckham
English soccer superstar David Beckham has something in common with Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez. Both had surgery to repair tears in their Achilles’ tendon.

Gonzalez said he is still coming back from surgery o his right tendon in October; Beckham will be out for six months after having surgery Monday to repair his left tendon.

“That only happens to elite athletes, the elite of the elite,” Gonzalez said with a laugh.